Wearable Device Control Through Short-Range Intermediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices face limitations in controlling other devices when the mobile phone is stowed away, leading to increased power consumption and reduced operational time due to frequent wireless network connections, and lack of direct control capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic device equipped with a short-range communication circuit, display, and processor to establish connections with external devices, receive information, display it, and transmit control commands based on user input, enabling direct control without relying on a mobile phone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wearable electronic device establishes an additional wireless network connection to control another wearable device, then direct control capability is improved, but power consumption increases and operational time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect control capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first wearable electronic device acts as an intermediary between the user and the second wearable device. Instead of establishing a direct connection between wearable devices, the system uses the mobile phone as a mediator that relays control commands and device information, thereby avoiding the need for additional wireless connections between wearable devices while maintaining control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile phone serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication hub between wearable devices, provides a display interface for device information, and transmits control commands. This multi-functional approach allows the wearable device to control another wearable device without needing its own display or additional communication circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wearable electronic device establishes additional wireless connections to control other devices, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile phone serves as an intermediary that manages all connection complexities. The wearable device only needs to communicate with the mobile phone, which handles the complex tasks of identifying available wearable devices, establishing connections, and relaying control commands. This shifts the complexity burden from the wearable device to the mobile phone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex connection management functionality from the wearable device and places it in the mobile phone. The wearable device's role is simplified to merely sending control inputs, while the mobile phone handles device identification, connection establishment, and command transmission, thereby reducing wearable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Weight of moving object

If a wearable electronic device without direct connection tries to identify or control another wearable device, then portability is maintained, but control capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidcontrol capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile phone acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between the wearable device's limited capabilities and the need for remote control functionality. The wearable device maintains its portability by not including additional communication circuits, while the mobile phone provides the intermediary service that enables control of other wearable devices through its existing communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent shifts the control capability from the wearable device dimension to the mobile phone dimension. Instead of expecting the wearable device to have full control capabilities, the system leverages the mobile phone's dimensions (processing power, communication capabilities, display) to provide the control functionality, allowing the wearable device to remain simple and portable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250246068A1Electronic device for controlling external electronic device and method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A wearable electronic device and method are disclosed. The wearable electronic device includes a short-range communication circuit, memory, display and a processor. The processor implements the method, including: establishing a first communicative connection to a first external electronic device, via a short-range communication circuit, receiving, via the short-range communication circuit, from the first external electronic device, first information related to a second external electronic device that is communicatively connected to the first external electronic device through a second communicative connection, displaying, on a display, at least a portion of the received first information, and transmitting, via the short-range communication circuit, to the first external electronic device, a control command for the second external electronic device, based on receiving a user input to information displayed on the display.